Tag Archives: Medical cannabis

In November 2010, the citizens of Arizona passed Proposition 203, thereby establishing a medical marijuana program. Despite many delays, Arizona is now in the process of awarding licenses to nearly 100 new dispensary operators. Yet as patients eagerly anticipate regulated cannabis, they find themselves in the crosshairs of a political battle they should not have to fight.

State and county prosecutors on Thursday renewed their legal fight against Arizona's medical marijuana program, asking a court to rule that the voter-approved law is illegal on grounds that it conflicts with federal drug law.

Arizona officials used a bingo-style machine with sets of numbered air-blown balls Tuesday as they picked winners from among more than 400 applicants for certificates to run 97 medical marijuana dispensaries around the state.

A non-binding legal opinion by Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne warns that federal law means that the state cannot authorize distribution of medical marijuana, but Horne says that doesn't stop the state from holding a lottery Tuesday to award dispensary certificates.

Requests to allow medical marijuana use in Arizona for additional medical conditions could be doomed by University of Arizona researchers' reports that they found little or no scientific evidence to support the proposals.